The Hérens Tour marks a prestigious journey from the initial qualifying heats to the grand National Final. This extraordinary cycle begins traditionally with the autumn matches, where the most experienced queens are selected. The season continues with the spring qualifiers from March to the end of April, reaching its zenith in early May. When more than 12,000 spectators gather around the arena to witness the coronation of the “Queen of Queens,” athletic ambition and living heritage merge into a unique spectacle.
Beyond the competitive aspect, the Tour aims to promote the Hérens breed through cow fighting while preserving an authentic and convivial atmosphere. These events serve as a stage for regional traditions and local products. To ensure fair competition, the animals are strictly divided into five categories. While first-calf heifers and young cows are classified into categories 4 and 5 based on age, mature cows are assigned to categories 1 through 3 according to their weight. The heaviest animals compete in the first category, while the lighter competitors form the third group.
Sovereignty in the Ring: Jury and Regulations
The orderly conduct within the arena is overseen by a five-member jury. According to established guidelines, animals are generally eliminated once they have lost three bouts; notably, refusing to fight is also counted as a loss. The “rabatteurs” (herders) play a crucial role as well: they bring the animals together upon the jury’s instructions and ensure that fighting pairs are not disturbed by other cows, maintaining the integrity of every duel.
The tournament is strategically divided into two phases: the eliminations and the finals. During the qualifying phase, categories are divided into groups of 10 to 15 animals. Those who hold their ground and avoid premature elimination qualify for the final round of their respective category. There, the process continues until only seven animals remain in the ring. This elite group then competes against one another to determine the rankings for places 1 through 7. The cow that defeats all challengers is crowned the category winner. Should no clear victor emerge, the regulations allow for an ex aequo classification.
The Path to the Throne: The Grand Final in Aproz
The top seven ranked animals in each category secure their ticket to the National Final in Aproz. While this major event follows the same fundamental rules, it culminates in the ultimate “Final of Finals.” Here, the winners of categories 1 through 4 meet to battle for the prestigious title of “Queen of Queens.”
The format for this final title bout is steeped in drama: a draw determines which category winners face each other in the semifinals. The two triumphant cows then meet in the decisive duel to determine the “National Queen”—a title of immense symbolic value not only for the owners but for the entire breeding region.
